Indiana House advances bill calling for tax on vaping liquids
The Indiana House has endorsed a bill to start taxing the liquids used in electronic cigarettes, but only after the proposed tax rate was cut in half.
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Hoosier State train route could derail without state cash
Supporters are fighting for continued public funding of the Indianapolis-to-Chicago rail service—even as they acknowledge the route’s travel times and ridership levels need improvement.
Committee OKs bill that boosts age to buy cigarettes, e-liquids to 21
Senate Bill 425, authored by Sen. Randy Head, R-Logansport, would also prevent anyone under 18 from entering designated smoking areas in clubs and cigar stores.
Sports wagering, casino bill clears first legislative hurdle
Senate Bill 552, authored by Jasper Republican Mark Messmer and Terre Haute Republican Jon Ford, would allow the casinos in Gary to relocate, accelerate when horse-track casinos could begin offering live table games and legalize sports gambling.
Lawmakers consider changes to allow more alcohol permits in growing communities
The omnibus alcohol bill authored by Rep. Ben Smaltz, R-Auburn, would also create a special alcohol permit for a planned food hall at the Bottleworks development on Massachusetts Avenue.
Lawmakers move redistricting bill that would leave them in control of maps
Senate Bill 105, authored by Elections Chair Greg Walker, R-Columbus, would establish a series of standards lawmakers would use to redraw district lines following population reapportionment, which occurs each decade after the completion of the U.S. Census.
Counties could be required to have paper trail for voting by 2024
Senate Bill 570, authored by Columbus Republican Greg Walker, would require counties paper backups to electronic voting systems they use.
Council leaders urge legislative hearing on Indy Eleven stadium bill
Republican and Democratic leaders of the City-County Council say they want the opportunity to fully debate a bill that would funnel state and local tax revenue to an 18,000-seat stadium that would be part of a larger mixed-use development.
Indiana lawmakers considering property tax amnesty period
The bill approved 48-0 by the Indiana Senate would allow counties to waive penalties and interest if overdue taxes are paid by May 2020.
Indiana lawmakers considering tax on e-liquids
House Bill 1444 would impose a tax of 8 cents per milliliter on e-liquids. The tax could generate between $4.16 million and $7.33 million in annual revenue for the state.
House passes bill to exempt military pensions from state income tax
One of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s top priorities for the legislative session passed the Indiana House on Tuesday afternoon with nearly unanimous support.
Bill to make civics test a graduation requirement advances at Statehouse
Sen. Dennis Kruse, R- Auburn, said he authored the bill to ensure high school students would better understand their government and country.
Tech lobbying group focusing on talent, capital, place at Indiana Legislature
The goals for the Indiana Technology and Innovation Association—which includes members from more than 100 companies, from startups to major players such as Salesforce and AT&T—boil down to getting more high-skill workers here and finding more venture capital dollars for companies.
Indiana lawmakers approve policies banning sexual harassment
House members approved the policy in a unanimous voice vote Thursday after the Senate adopted a similar policy two weeks ago.
Scott Jones is back in town determined to make his mark—again
After nearly four years away from Indiana, local tech luminary Scott Jones has returned to central Indiana. And he’s returned with gusto, supercharging Eleven Fifty Academy and helping advance a life-sciences company he says can “transform medicine on multiple fronts.”
Holcomb hits some workforce goals, still faces hurdles on others
In 2018, Holcomb boldly outlined specific goals, One year later, he has exceeded some targets, but hasn’t met other goals.
Sexual harassment bills target public official misconduct
Among the lawmakers leading the charge for harassment legislation is Democratic Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, one of the four women who say Attorney General Curtis Hill groped them at a party last March.
Department of Child Services reform bill passes Indiana House
The House on Tuesday unanimously passed House Bill 1006, sending it to the Senate for consideration. The bill, authored by Avon Republican Greg Steuerwald, has five major provisions.
House committee passes tighter rules for virtual schools
House Bill 1172, authored by Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis, outlines new rules to better assess and guide the educators, parents and students engaged in virtual school.
Gambling bill would allow Terre Haute casino, accelerates timeline for live games at racinos
The bill, filed by Republican Sens. Mark Messmer and Jon Ford, covers a wide range of gambling issues expected to be debated this year.